Information Science/Studies at Zane State College

The small sample size here demands caution, but the numbers are troubling enough to warrant concern. Zane State's Information Science graduates earn roughly $29,400 after graduation—about $8,500 below what similar programs produce in Ohio and nearly $10,000 below the national median. That 25th percentile ranking among Ohio programs means three-quarters of competing in-state options deliver better outcomes, including Cuyahoga Community College's program that generates earnings 54% higher.

The minimal debt load of $7,668 is the only bright spot, coming in well below both state and national averages. This keeps the debt-to-earnings ratio manageable at 0.26, meaning graduates could theoretically pay off loans in roughly three months of earnings. However, flat earnings growth between year one and year four suggests graduates aren't advancing into better-paying roles—they're essentially stuck at entry-level wages that hover around $14 per hour.

For parents considering this investment, the low debt is attractive but doesn't compensate for earnings that lag so far behind alternatives. If your child is committed to staying in Ohio for an Information Science associate's degree, other community colleges produce substantially better financial outcomes. The small sample size means these numbers could shift with more data, but until that happens, this program's track record suggests looking elsewhere.